Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2351 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide that no member of an access organization's board shall be appointed by the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Director).

The Kauai League of Women Voters and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. Several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure, with amendments.

Na Leo O Hawaii, Hoike Kauai, and Olelo opposed this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and a concerned individual submitted comments.

Currently, the Director appoints members of the boards of cable television access. This could raise questions of impropriety, as access organizations are private, independent, nonprofit entities.

Your Committee finds that although sincere in its intent, the bill as written provides no mechanism for implementation. Your Committee further finds that there is a need to provide a venue for public imput and commentary in the appointment process.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2351, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2351, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.